Fluid-pressure turbine.



Patented Oct. 28, 1902;

No. 7l2,369.

H. F. FULLAGAR. FLUID PRESSURE TURBINE.

(Application fled Sept. 1 6, 1901'.)

2 Sheets-Shoot No Modal.)

No. 712,369. Patentedflct. 28, I902. .H. F; FULLAGAR.

FLU-ID PRES-SURE TURBINE.

(Aiaplicatim; filed Sept. 16, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFI'CE.

HUGH FRANCIS FULLAGAR, OF NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND.

FLUID-PRESSURE TURBINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 712,369, dated October28, 1902.

Application filed September 16, 190 1. Serial No. 75,650. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HUGH FRANCIS FULLA- GAR, a subject of the King ofGreat Britain and Ireland,residing at Newc'astle-upon-Tyne, in thecounty of Northumberland, England, have invented Improvements inorRelating to Fluid-Pressure Turbines, of which the followthe requiredmanner upon the sets of rotary turbine-blades. i

According to this invention the blades are so shaped that the severalstreams of steam issuing from between them unite to form a practicallysolid parallel annular jet the stream-lines of which are nearly allparallel.

to one another and which has therefore little tendency to diverge orspread laterally, whereby the liability to serious leakage that obtainswith some constructions of turbine is avoided and the efficiency of theturbine considerably increased. For this purpose the passage-waybetweeneach pair of blades is made to continually increase in transverseor cross-sectional area from the inlet or from a point near the inlet tothe exit, the ratio of this increase being such that the working fluidin its passage will expand fully to the increased volume, correspondingto the diminished pressure before leaving the said passage-way, so thathaving then little or no further tendency to spread laterally it willissue in a practically parallel jet in a given direction with the fullvelocity due to the drop in pressure. When the ratio of expansion ishigh and the velocity great, it is of importance that the blades shouldbe accurately shaped and exactly spaced, and, further, when the bladesare placed radially it is desirable to slightly taper each blade in thedirection of its length in order that the ratio of expansion of thepassage-way between any pair of blades may be the same forcross-sections at dilferent radialdistances from the axis of theturbine, the sides of the passage-way in any section thereof at rightangles to the axis of the turbine being parallel to one another. Forthis purpose the blades are constructed in the improved manner whichwill now be explained with reference to the accompanying illustrativedrawings, wherein- Figures 1 and 2 show, respectively, in side elevationand plan a metal blank from which a blade is to be made. Figs. 3 and 4show, respectively, in side elevation and plan a number of such blanksfitted together after being subjected to a preliminary shapingoperation. Fig. 5 shows in side elevation a finished blade, and Fig. 6shows in side elevation a number of such finished blades mounted inposition for use in a ring. Figs. 7 and 8 are sections on the lines A Aand B B, respectively, of Fig. 6. Figs. 9, 10, and 11 are similar viewsto Fig. 8, showing other Ways of mounting the blades in a ring orholder. Fig. 12 shows in longitudinal section part of a steam-turbinehaving guideblades constructed andtarranged according to this invention,and Fig. 13 is a sectional plan of part of such turbine on the line C Oof Fig. -l2.

' To form the blades, suitable lengths are cut from a parallel strip ofmaterialsuch, for example, as brass, delta metal, or steelone side ofwhich has been made concave by drawing, milling, rolling, orotherwise toaccurately correspond in shape to the concave side of the finishedblade. Each length of metal is then passed between a pair ofmilling-cutters, by which the ends are cut to an exact length to form ablank from which the improved blade is to be made. The said ends may atthe same time be grooved, beveled, rabbeted, or otherwise shaped toaccurately fit the cross-section of the circular or partlycircular orannular groove or port. provided in the turbine-case or in the spindleto receive them. A blank athus formed is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, itsconvex and concave sides I) and 0 corresponding to those of the strip ofmetal from which it is cut, and 01 being rectangular notches cut in itstop and bottom ends. The back I) of each blade is then milled convex toexactly the same curve as the concave side 0. During this operation theblade a is held slightly inclined, so that when finished the convex andconcave surfaces 1) and c are not at equal distances apart along theirlength, but would meet at the center of the circle around which theblades are to be placed, so that if a number of blades at this stage ofmanufacture be placed together side by side, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4,they will form practically a solid ring, the concave side 0 of eachblade exactly fitting the convex side I? of the preceding blade, with noopening whatever between them. The blades Ct are then each held in aninclined position a second time under a milling-cutter like the oneabove mentioned, but somewhat narrower than the length of the blade andcontrolled by another templet or copy, like f, but having a differentprofile, by which a portion b of the back or convex side I) of the bladebetween its ends is milled down to a different contour, such as to formwhen two blades are placed together, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, therequired passage-way h between them. Thus the finished blade at is taperin longitudinal section and of feather or concavo-convex shape incross-section, with a fine forward or exit edge 7; and having on itsconvex side at its two ends two wings or projections m, that exactly fitthe concave side of the next adjacent blade, and thus keep the twoblades in exact relative position and at the same time form side or endwalls to the passage-way it between the blades. When the blades a are tobe attached to the interior of a cylinder or to the circumference of adrum n, Fig. 9, their ends are inserted in an annular groove 0 orgrooves formed in the circumference of the said cylinder or drum. Thewings or projections m at the fixed ends of the blades are, as shown inFig. 9, made of sufficient depth to fill the grooves to the surface ofthe cylinder or drum and be there secured by any suitable means-as, forexample, by calking a narrow strip p of duetile metal into the groovealongside them. When, however, the blades are to be placed in asegmental-shaped port or opening q, formed in a stationary transversewall '1" of the turbine-case, as shown in Figs. 6, 7, and S, thecircular edges of such a port or opening may be formed with grooves s,Fig. 10, or with ribs, webs, or flanges t, Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 11, toretain the blades a, which are then shaped, as shown, to fit such edges,as before described, and are secured therein in any suitable wayas, forexample, by cutting away a portion of the webs or flanges at one end ofeach port or opening q, so as to form small gaps q, through which theblades can be inserted,and then moved along the port or opening untilthe latter has been filled up to the ends of the ribs or flanges t,after which the end of the port or opening q is filled by astopping-piece, such as 10, Figs. 6 and 7, secured in place by one ormore screws '0 or other suitable means. In this case the blades (2.,being made on an interchangeable system, can by removing thestopping-piece u be readily exchanged for others of difierentdimensions. The bladesa may, however, be fixed in place in each port oropening q in any other convenient way.

Figs. 12 and 13 show one construction of turbine embodying the presentinvention.

0' r are annular-shaped Walls fixed within the turbine-casing w andformed at their peripheries with the arc-shaped opening q, in which theguide-blades a are detachably fixed, as hereinbefore described, and 0cis a spindle that extends through the said casing and transverse Wallsand has fixed to it turbine wheels that are arranged to rotate inproximity to the said walls and blades and each of which comprises anannular carrier y and a ring of blades 2: of concavo-convex section. Theblades 2 in each ring thereof are fixed to the outer periphery of thecorresponding carrier y and are provided with annular bafflers 2 .2 thatare made of greater width than the said blades .2, are fixed to theinner and outer ends of such blades, and are arranged to rotate inproximity to the adjacent wall 1', as described in the specification ofanother application for Letters Patent filed by me of even dateherewith, Serial No. 75,649. ff are concentrically-arranged annularbaffiing devices carried by the rotary and fixed parts and serving toretard flow of motive from the turbine-chamber rat one side of each wallr through the central opening r in such wall to the adjacent chamber 0"at the opposite side of such wall, as described in my said otherspecification.

What I claim is 1. A fluid-pressure turbine, comprising a casing,stationary guide-blades fixed therein, a rotary spindle extendingthrough said casing, and turbine wheels carried by said spindle andarranged to rotate in proximity to said guide-blades, said guide-bladesfitting one against the other at their ends and each having therein anotch or recess arranged to form with the adjacent blade a passage ofthe required cross-section for motive fluid.

2. A fluid-pressure turbine, comprising a casing,stationaryblade-carriers fixed therein, guide-blades fixed to said carriers, arotary spindle extending through said casing, and turbine wheels carriedby said spindle and arranged to rotate inproximity to said guideblades,said guide-blades fitting one against the other at their ends and eachhaving therein a notch or recess arranged to form with the adjacentblade, a passage of the required cross-section for motive fluid.

3. A fluid-pressure turbine, comprising a casing, transverse walls orpartitions fixed within said casing, guide-blades fixed to said walls orpartitions, a rotary spindle extending through said casing, and turbinewheels carried by said spindle and arranged to rotate in proximity tosaid guide-blades, said guide- IIO blades fitting oneagainst the otherat their ends and each having therein a notch or recess arranged to formwith the adjacent blade, a passage of the required cross-section formotive fluid.

4. A fluid-pressure turbine comprising a casing, groups of guide-bladesfixed therein,

a rotary spindle extending through said .casing, and turbine wheelscarried by said spindle and arranged to rotate in proximity to saidguide-blades, the guide-blades in each group thereof being ofsector-like shape fitting one against the other, and having between thempassage-ways each made to gradually increase in cross-sectional areatoward the outlet end, as set forth.

5. A fluid-pressure turbine comprising a casing, blade-carriers fixedtherein, groups of guide-blades detachably fixed in arc-shaped notchesor openings in said carriers, a spindle extending through said casingand carriers, and turbine wheels fixed to said spindle, and arranged torotate in proximity to said carriers and groups of guide-blades, theguide-blades in each group fitting one against the, other and havingpassages of graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area formed between themat parts thereof between their ends.

6. A fluid-pressure turbine comprising a casing, blade-carriers fixedtherein, groups-of guide-blades detachably fixed in arc-shaped notchesor openings in said carriers, a spindle extending through said casingand carriers, and turbine wheels fixed to said spindle and arranged torotate in proximity to said carriers and groups of guide-blades, theguide-bladesin each group fitting one against the other at their endsand each formed on one side with a notch of gradually-increasingcross-sectional area and with a fine edge at the forward or exit end ofthe said notch.

7. A fluid-pressure turbine comprising a casing, blade-carriers fixedtherein, groups of guide-blades detachably fixed in arc-shaped notchesor openings in said carriers, a spindle extending through said casing,and carriers, and turbine wheels fixed to said spindle and arranged torotate in proximity to said carriers and groups of guide-blades, theguide-blades in each group fitting one against the other and havingpassages for motive fluid between them, each passage being ofgradually-increasing size toward 'the exit thereof, and ofapproximatelyequal crosssection from the inner to the outer end thereof in a radialdirection.

8. A fluid-pressure turbine comprising a casing, blade carriers fixedtherein, and guide-blades fixedto said carriers, a spindle extendingthrough said casing, and turbine wheels fixed to said spindle andarranged to rotate in proximity to said guide-blades, each of saidblades being of concavo-convex section and having on its convex side twoprojections that exactly fit the concave side of the next adjacentblade, and an intermediate notch, substantially as described.

9. A fluid-pressure turbine comprising a casing, blade carriers fixed'therein, and guide-blades fixed to said carriers, a spindle extendingthrough said casing, and turbine wheels fixed to said spindle andarranged to rotate in proximitytosaid guide-blades, each of said bladesbeing of concavo-convex section and having on its convex side twoprojections that exactly fit the concave side of' the next adjacentblade, and an intermediate notch and a fine edge at the forward or exitend of said notch, substantially as described. 10. A fluid-pressureturbine comprising a casing, annular guide blade carriers fixedtransversely therein radially-arranged guideblades fixed to saidcarriers and fitting one against the other, a spindle extending throughsaid casing, and turbine wheels fixed to said spindle and arranged torotate in proximity to said carriers and guide-blades, each of saidblades being taper in longitudinal section and of concavo-convexcross-section and having on its convex side at its ends, two projectionsfitting against the concave side of the next adjacent blade and anintermediate notch with a fine edge at the forward or exit end of saidnotch, substantially as described.

11. A fluid-pressure turbine comprising a casing, annular transversewalls fixed therein and having arc-shaped openings formed therethroughnear their outer peripheries, groups of radially-arran ged guide-bladesarranged in said openings and having their ends engaged with the innerand outer peripheries of said openings, a removable filling-piecebetween the last blade in each group and the adjacent end of thecorresponding opening, a spindle extending through said casing andwalls, and turbine wheels fixed to said spindle and arranged to rotatein proximity to said Walls and guide-blades, each guide-blade beingtaper in longitudinal section and concavo-convex in cross-section andhaving on its convex side at its ends, two projections fitting againstthe concave side of the next adjacent blade or'filling-piece and anintermediate notch with a fine edge at the forward or exit end of saidnotch, substantially as described.

12. As a new article of manufacture, a turbine-blade of concavo-convexcross-section and having on its convex side at its ends, two projectionswith an intermediate notch to form a passage-way of the requiredsection, substantially as described.

13. As a new article of manufacture, a turbine-blade taper inlongitudinal section and concavo-convex in cross-section, and having onits convex side at its ends, two wings or projections with anintermediate notch or recess to form a passage-way of the section setforth, and a fine edge at the forward or exit end of said notch orrecess, substantially as described.

14. As a new article of manufacture, a turbine-blade taper inlongitudinal section, con- 1 Signed at Newcastle-upon -'1yne, in thecavo-oonvex in cross-section, and notched at I county of Northumberland,this 27th day of 1c the ends, and the convex side of said blade August,1901. having two end Wings or projections with an I intermediate notchor groove to form a pasl HUGH FRANCIS FULLAGAR' sage-Way of the sectionset forth, and a fine edge at the forward or exit end of said notch orrecess, substantially as described.

Witnesses:

W. SPELMAN BURTON, PERCY OoRDER.

